Jonathon Brooks’ Career and the Road to the NFL

Jonathon Brooks, a running back for the Carolina Panthers, entered the NFL with high hopes and aspirations after a solid college career. Brooks, who played college football at a respected program, displayed a unique blend of speed, agility, and power that made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams. His versatility in the backfield and ability to contribute as both a rusher and a receiver caught the eye of Panthers’ scouts, and they decided to take a chance on him in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The decision to draft Brooks was not just about his college production, but about the potential he had to make an impact in the NFL. At the time of his selection, the Panthers were looking for a dynamic playmaker who could complement their growing offensive attack. The team had hopes of developing Brooks into a cornerstone of their backfield, and there was optimism that he could become a key contributor early in his professional career.

However, the journey to the NFL is rarely as simple as it seems, and for Brooks, it has been particularly challenging. Despite his natural talent and potential, his professional career has been marred by injuries, culminating in the news that he will be out for the entire 2025 season after being placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Brooks’ injury history began early in his professional career. Just a few months after being drafted in 2024, he sustained a torn ACL during training camp. It was a crushing blow for both Brooks and the Panthers, as many saw him as a potential difference-maker for their offense. The ACL injury was significant, as it required extensive surgery and a long rehabilitation process. It was expected that Brooks would miss a large portion of his rookie season, and unfortunately, he only played in three games in his first year.

But as difficult as that first injury was, things seemed to be looking up for Brooks as he entered the 2025 season. His rehabilitation from the first ACL tear appeared to be progressing well. Reports out of Panthers’ camp suggested that Brooks had fully recovered and was eager to prove himself in his second season. For a while, there was hope that he could be a key player in the team’s backfield rotation, giving them a dynamic presence alongside their other running backs.

However, in a devastating turn of events, Brooks suffered a second torn ACL in December 2024, just 13 months after the first injury. This new injury not only puts his career on hold again, but it raises concerns about his long-term health and ability to ever return to full form.

For Jonathon Brooks, this injury marks a massive setback in his young career. At just 22 years old, Brooks had plenty of time to recover and develop, but back-to-back ACL tears in such a short span raise significant questions about his future in the NFL. While ACL tears are unfortunately common in professional football, the fact that Brooks has now suffered two in such a brief period of time could be cause for concern.

The mental and physical toll of recovering from a torn ACL is significant, and two such injuries in a short amount of time can often leave lasting effects on an athlete’s ability to perform at the highest level. ACL injuries, even when fully healed, can lead to decreased mobility, less explosive power, and a greater risk of re-injury. With Brooks’ entire playing style revolving around quick cuts and bursts of speed, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to regain the same level of explosiveness that made him so effective at the college level.

Beyond the physical challenges, Brooks must now contend with the psychological strain of facing another long road to recovery. The mental toll of watching from the sidelines, combined with the frustration of being unable to perform at his highest level, will likely weigh heavily on him. However, it is not uncommon for players to use these kinds of setbacks as fuel to drive their eventual comeback.

In light of Brooks’ injury, the Panthers made the difficult decision to place him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the 2025 season. The PUP list is reserved for players who are unable to participate in team activities due to injury, and being placed on this list means that Brooks will not play during the upcoming season. This decision essentially means that Brooks will miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign, marking another full year of lost development.

The Panthers have made it clear that they still believe in Brooks’ potential, and the move to place him on the PUP list is a recognition of the serious nature of his injury and the time needed for recovery. The team will continue to monitor his progress and provide him with the necessary rehabilitation resources to help him recover fully. The hope is that by the time Brooks is fully healthy, he will be able to return to the field as a contributor for the Panthers.

While this is a disappointing turn of events for the Panthers, the team’s coaching staff and front office have shown patience and understanding. The NFL is a results-driven league, but the team’s management seems willing to give Brooks the time he needs to recover and return to form, if possible. The Panthers have also made it clear that they are not rushing Brooks back onto the field, prioritizing his long-term health over short-term gains.

With Brooks sidelined for the entire 2025 season, the Panthers must now look to other players in their running back corps to fill the void left by the young RB. In an NFL season, injuries are inevitable, and teams are often forced to adjust their rosters to accommodate these challenges. Fortunately for the Panthers, they have depth at the running back position.

The team still has a talented group of running backs on the roster, including established veterans and young players who are eager for more opportunities. While none of these players possess the exact skill set that Brooks brought to the table, the Panthers have enough depth to weather the storm.

One of the most important players for the Panthers’ backfield will be their incumbent starting running back, who will now likely see an increase in carries. This player will need to step up and take on a larger role to help carry the load in Brooks’ absence. The coaching staff will also likely explore using a running back committee approach, where multiple players share the duties in order to keep everyone fresh and maximize their skills.

For the Panthers, the focus will now shift to finding new ways to get the running game going and adjusting their offensive game plans to account for the loss of Brooks. While losing a player with Brooks’ potential is a tough blow, the team is far from devoid of talent at the position.

For Jonathon Brooks, the road ahead will be a challenging one. After two torn ACLs in such a short span, he will need to rely on the medical and training staff to help guide him through his rehabilitation. He will also need to stay mentally strong, knowing that his future in the NFL is far from guaranteed at this point.

The NFL is a league known for its high turnover rate, and players who struggle with injuries are often quickly discarded in favor of healthier alternatives. Brooks’ injury history will undoubtedly be a factor that NFL teams consider when evaluating his future. However, there have been many instances of players who have overcome multiple injuries and gone on to have successful careers, and Brooks will hope to be one of those players.

For now, the Panthers’ focus will be on supporting Brooks during his recovery, keeping him in the fold, and hoping that he can make a full recovery in time for the 2026 season. The team has shown that they believe in his talent, and if he can overcome the physical and mental hurdles of his injuries, there may still be a future for him in Carolina.

Jonathon Brooks’ story is one of both promise and setback. From being drafted with high hopes to enduring the heartbreak of two torn ACLs in just over a year, his career has been anything but predictable. While the road ahead for Brooks may seem uncertain, it’s important to remember that the NFL is a league full of second chances, and with the right support system and determination, Brooks may still have an opportunity to make his mark in the league.

The Panthers, meanwhile, will have to move forward without him for the 2025 season, relying on their other running backs to shoulder the load. As for Brooks, he will focus on his recovery, hoping that one day, he will return to the field as the player the Panthers envisioned when they drafted him.

The journey to recovery will not be easy, but with time, patience, and perseverance, Jonathon Brooks may yet have the chance to fulfill the promise he showed when he first entered the NFL.